The United Kingdom plans to prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social networks starting in 2027.
The UK government unveiled one of the toughest regulations globally on children and teenagers using social media. Starting in 2027, those under 16 won’t be allowed to have accounts on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, and X.
How will the prohibition be implemented?
The new law will consider digital platforms, unlike past efforts that only addressed parental control.
Companies must establish strong age verification procedures to stop individuals under the age of 16 from registering accounts or using services classified as social media platforms. Ofcom, the British regulatory authority, will monitor adherence to these regulations and may impose substantial penalties on businesses that violate the law.
The British government aims to approve the legislation by the end of 2026 for it to take effect in early 2027. Detailed information about the regulation will be released in a formal document in July.
Which platforms will face impacts?
The prohibition should cover all social media platforms that rely on user interaction and content recommendation algorithms. The government’s statement highlighted the primary services that were evaluated.
- TikTok;
- Instagram platform.
- Facebook platform.
- YouTube
- Snapchat;
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Initially, messaging apps like WhatsApp and music streaming platforms will remain unaffected, but they could potentially be included in the future.
The UK plans to limit live streaming and block minors from engaging with strangers on gaming platforms, in addition to regulating traditional social networks. Romantic chatbots and virtual companions could also be banned for young people.
What was the reason behind the decision?
The British government’s decision to implement this measure was prompted by rising rates of anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content among children and teenagers. Findings from a public survey conducted by the government indicate that approximately 90% of parents favor establishing a minimum age of 16 for social network access.
The proposal aligns with a worldwide trend to toughen regulations on minors’ technology use. For instance, Australia recently enacted a comparable law setting 16 years as the minimum age for social media platforms.
In Brazil, there is no legal minimum age requirement for using social networks, but children and teenagers are safeguarded by regulations like the Child and Adolescent Statute and the General Data Protection Act (LGPD). Many platforms set the minimum age at 13 to comply with global norms and their own terms of service.
In January 2025, a law was implemented in Brazil to restrict the use of cell phones in schools, sparking discussions about the effects of technology on youth’s mental health and growth.
Big technology companies are voicing their opposition to the plan.
Tech giants such as Meta, Snap, and Google believe that the ban could lead teenagers to lesser-known platforms lacking proper safety measures, suggesting that supervised social network use and parental control tools would be a more effective solution.
Experts doubt the effectiveness of the measure due to the difficulty of implementing age verification systems without risking users’ personal data. Digital rights groups caution that banning could restrict young people’s access to support networks and educational materials.
If the proposal progresses as intended, the UK will be among the first major markets worldwide to implement a wide-reaching ban on social media for individuals under 16, potentially prompting other nations to do the same.
Paraphrase: Origin
